LESSON 6JESUS CHRIST WAS EXALTED

FOR ME

JESUS CHRIST WAS EXALTED FOR ME

EXALTATION =

Being lifted up, referring to what happened to Jesus AFTER His death

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

• The Second Article continues: “He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

THE 5 STEPS OF JESUS’

EXALTATION:

The 5 Steps of Jesus’ Exaltation

1 Descended

2 Rose

3 Ascended

4 God’s right hand

5 Will come as Judge

STEP 1:JESUS DESCENDED

INTO HELL

1 Peter 3:18-19

• 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

Step One: Jesus Descended Into Hell

WHEN?

After He died and became alive again.

Colossians 2:15

• 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Step One: Jesus Descended Into Hell

WHEN?

after He died and became alive again

WHY?

to announce His victory over the devil

STEP 2:JESUS ROSE FROM

THE DEAD

Matthew 28:1-10

• The Resurrection

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Romans 1:4

• 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Step Two: Jesus Rose From The Dead

1. He is true God

This means:

1 Corinthians 15:17

• 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Step Two: Jesus Rose From The Dead

1. He is true God

This means:

2. He really has defeated sin and death

John 14:19

• 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

Step Two: Jesus Rose From The Dead

1. He is true God

This means:

2. He really has defeated sin and death

3. He will raise me and all the dead

Application

• Which is the most important church festival – Christmas or Easter?

Answer

• Both are key events. By his birth, Jesus became the God-man, whom he had to be in order to begin his saving work.

• By his resurrection, Jesus proved to us that He has completed our salvation. Which is more important – the beginning or the end?

• It would be impossible to choose one over the other. Both are absolutely necessary for our salvation.

STEP 3:JESUS VISIBLY

ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN

Acts 1:1-11• Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

John 14:2-3

• 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Step Three: Jesus Visibly Ascended into Heaven

1. He assures me of a prepared heavenly home.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-19

• 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Step Three: Jesus Visibly Ascended into Heaven

1. He assures me of a prepared heavenly home.

2. We will live with Him there forever.

Comment on the Following

Mary and Joanne are talking about the place Jesus is preparing for us. Mary says: “I sure would like to know more about what it’s going to be like.” Joanne says, “Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s enough just to know that Jesus is the one who’s preparing it, so I know it will be perfect for us.”

STEP 4:JESUS SITS AT GOD’S RIGHT

HAND

1 John 2:1-2

• 1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Step Four: Jesus Sits at God’s Right Hand

1. As my High Priest He intercedes for me.

Matthew 28:19-20

• 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Grow in Christ

Step Four: Jesus Sits at God’s Right Hand

1. As my High Priest He intercedes for me.

2. As my Prophet He guides me with His Word.

Matthew 28:18

• 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Ephesians 1:20-23

• 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Step Four: Jesus Sits at God’s Right Hand

1. As my High Priest He intercedes for me.

2. As my Prophet He guides me with His Word.

3. As my King He rules over all things and me.

STEP 5:JESUS WILL

COME AGAIN

Acts 1:11

• 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Acts 10:39-43

• 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Step Five: Jesus Will Come Again

1. He will come as Judge of the living and the dead. (vs. Millennialism).

Matthew 24:36

• The Day and Hour Unknown

36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

2 Peter 3:10

• 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Step Five: Jesus Will Come Again

1. He will come as Judge of the living and the dead. (vs. Millennialism).

2. No one knows when He will come.

2 Peter 3:10-14• 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The

heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Step Five: Jesus Will Come Again

1. He will come as Judge of the living and the dead. (vs. Millennialism).

2. No one knows when He will come.

3. We should be ready for His coming.

Acts 16:25-34

• 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.

Step Five: Jesus Will Come Again

1. He will come as Judge of the living and the dead. (vs. Millennialism).

2. No one knows when He will come.

3. We should be ready for His coming.

4. We are ready when we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior.

Titus 2:13-14

• 13while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Step Five: Jesus Will Come Again

1. He will come as Judge of the living and the dead. (vs. Millennialism).

2. No one knows when He will come.

3. We should be ready for His coming.4. We are ready when we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior.5. Until Jesus comes again we will gladly serve and obey Him.

2 Timothy 4:18

• 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Exaltation of Jesus makes me

sure that His work for me was successful!

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them.

2. Study carefully questions Q#197-208; 258-264 in the Catechism. Be able to answer these questions in your own words.

3. Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. Have your parents correct this Bible Study.

4. Memorize these Bible verses:

Romans 1:4 – “He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead.”

VIP 1 John 2:1 – “If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense … Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK

5. Memorize the 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed and all of What Does This Mean?

6. Memorize the following books of the Old Testament (these are the books of the Minor Prophets):

Hosea Jonah Zephaniah

Joel Micah Haggai

Amos Nahum Zechariah

Obadiah Habakkuk Malachi

7. Complete Worksheet #6 at home and have your parents correct it with the Answer Key. Be ready for a review with the Pastor on November 8th.

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK

8. Complete Key Truths Sheet and be ready to take a quiz at our unit review session on Wednesday, November 7th

KEY TRUTHS

• Lesson #6 After redeeming us, Jesus was raised up, or _________. He descended into hell to announce his _____.

He rose from the dead as proof he is _____, had defeated ____ and _____, and will ______ me and all believers. Jesus ascended into heaven to ________ a place for me. Now he _________ for us, ______ us with his Word and _____ over all things for our good. I’m ready for His return when I ______ Him. Until then, I will gladly ____ and ______ Him.

Closing Prayer

• Dear Father, what a relief it is for me to know that my salvation does not depend on my good works but only on Jesus Christ. Thanks you for bringing me to faith. Help me to always hear your Word, on Sunday and everyday, so that I stay a believer until the end. Amen.